The Jade Emperor's Blessing...(Yù Huáng de Zhù Fú)

Two

Lan Zhan couldn't accept that Wei Ying's body had vanished. For a week, he stayed at the Burial Mound, tirelessly searching and guarding the area, hoping to find any trace of Wei Ying.

When Lan Xichen saw that Lan Zhan hadn't come back, and he noticed that the elders had returned with wounds on their bodies, they brought the matter to him since he was the sect leader, claiming that Lan Zhan should be punished for his actions.

Lan Xichen became worried for his younger brother, so he got up and went to Burial Mount. There, he found Lan Zhan meditating, sitting on Wei Ying's stone bed, covered in fresh wounds and blood. His white robe was now all red.

"Didi, please come back home," Lan Xichen said. "I know you don't want to go now, but think of your infants. I don't mind taking care of them, but Didi, you're wounded. If you don't treat it, you will fall sick."

Lan Zhan didn't move or open his eyes. Lan Xichen sighed, knowing his brother since childhood; he was so stubborn. You can't make Lan Zhan do anything he doesn't want to do.

So Lan Xichen went back and returned with a healer and fresh robes for him. The healer treated his wounds and gave him a tonic for the pain. Lan Xichen had to leave him there and go back to the Clan, as he already had a lot on his plate, and now he had to take care of his nephews too.

Despite Lan Zhan relentless efforts, Wei Ying's body remained missing.

Lan Xichen arrived at the Burial Mound again, his face filled with concern. "Wangji, you must return to Cloud Recesses. Your children are there, and they need you now more than ever."

Lan Zhan, weary and despondent, looked at his brother. "I cannot leave Wei Ying. I must find him."

"Your duty as a father is just as important," Lan Xichen gently reminded him. "Wei Ying would want you to take care of your children."

Reluctantly, Lan Zhan agreed. He knew his brother was right, and his heart ached at the thought of his children needing him.

Returning to Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan expected punishment for injuring his clan elders. However, Lan Xichen had a surprise in store. As the Sect Leader, he had convinced the elders not to punish Lan Zhan, citing his duty to protect his mate, his omega.

When Lan Zhan arrived, the elders gathered but remained silent. Lan Xichen spoke on his behalf, "Lan Wangji was protecting his mate, fulfilling his duty as an alpha. There is no punishment for defending one's omega."

The elders, respecting Lan Xichen's authority, let the matter rest. Lan Zhan, though still burdened by grief, felt a glimmer of relief. His brother's support and the understanding of the clan provided a small comfort amidst the turmoil.

Back in Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan embraced his children, feeling the weight of his responsibilities. His heart ached for Wei Ying, but he knew he had to be strong for their sake. Determined, he vowed to uncover the mystery of Wei Ying's disappearance and protect their family at all costs.

A little way back

While Lan Zhan was outside, battling fiercely to protect Wei Ying's resting place, a figure materialized beside Wei Ying's lifeless body.

It was Baoshan Sanren, Wei Ying's grandmother and a revered Celestial immortal. Seeing her grandson's still form, she was overwhelmed with grief and determination. She couldn't bear to lose her only grandson.

Without hesitation, Baoshan Sanren lifted Wei Ying's body and teleported to the Celestial World, appearing before the Jade Emperor, the highest deity in the celestial hierarchy. She gently laid Wei Ying's body in front of him and bowed deeply, her voice filled with desperation.

"Your Majesty, I beg you to restore my grandson's soul to his body. He has suffered greatly and does not deserve such a tragic end."

The Jade Emperor looked down at Wei Ying's pale form, considering her plea. "Baoshan Sanren, I can restore his soul, but there is a price to be paid. You must undertake an assignment for me-catching and banishing the demons that have escaped from hell."

Baoshan Sanren, resolute and willing to do anything for her grandson, nodded without hesitation. "I will do it, Your Majesty. Please, save my A'Ying."

The Jade Emperor raised his hand, and a soft, ethereal light enveloped Wei Ying's body. Slowly, the color returned to his cheeks, and his chest began to rise and fall with breath. The process was slow, but Wei Ying's soul was being restored. However, his condition was far from perfect; he remained unconscious, his spirit weak and fragile.

"He will live," the Jade Emperor pronounced, "but his soul needs time to heal since he does not have a core to heal faster. He will remain in a coma for an indefinite period. It is best that he stays here, under my watch, until he fully recovers."

Baoshan Sanren, though her heart ached to leave him, knew it was for the best. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I trust your judgment."

The Jade Emperor nodded and summoned attendants to move Wei Ying to a private chamber, protected by powerful wards and arrays. "Go now, Baoshan Sanren, and fulfill your duty. Your grandson will be safe here."

With a heavy heart, Baoshan Sanren left Wei Ying in the care of the Jade Emperor, knowing that her grandson was alive but needing time to recover. She set out on her mission to capture the escaped demons, driven by her love and commitment to her family.

Of course, Boashan knew Wei Ying's whereabouts. When she discovered his parents were dead, she immediately went to search for her daughter's son.

After asking many questions, she went to Yunmeng, where she saw an 8-year-old Wei Ying living his life in Lotus Pier. Since Jiang Fengmian was Wei Changze's friend, she didn't bother to take Wei Ying with her; she didn't even show herself at that time. She just vanished and, from then on, came to see him from time to time without anyone's knowledge.

Until recent years, the Jade Emperor kept giving them missions over and over again, which made her no longer aware of Wei Ying's situation since they came to study at Cloud Recesses.

Some days back, she came to town and heard the rumors of the evil and demon cultivator Yilling Patriarch, who was using dark energy. She traced him and arrived late, which is when she appeared at Burial Mount and found him already dead.

Boashan Sanren blames herself for whatever happened to Wei Ying in his life. She thinks that if she had taken him with her, none of these things would have happened.

Back at Cloud Recesses, Lan Zhan devoted himself to raising their children, pouring all his love and energy into their care. Yet, every night, as the moonlight filtered through his room, he was overwhelmed by the aching absence of Wei Ying.

Each night, after putting the children to bed, Lan Zhan would sit by the window with his guqin, Wangji. He played melodies that resonated with longing and sorrow, hoping to summon Wei Ying's spirit. But no matter how fervently he played, the spirit of Wei Ying never answered his call.

Lan Xichen often found his brother in this state and would approach him gently. "Wangji, Wei Childe is gone. You need to let go and move on. Your children need you here, in the present."

But Lan Zhan, with a determined glint in his eyes, would always respond, "I know Wei Ying will come back to me someday. I can feel it in my heart."

Lan Xichen sighed, knowing his brother's love and conviction were unshakeable. He respected Lan Zhan's feelings but also worried about the toll it was taking on him.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The children grew, their laughter and play bringing light into Lan Zhan's life, but the void left by Wei Ying remained ever-present.

Lan Zhan's unwavering faith in Wei Ying's return became a source of strength, driving him to be the best father he could be.

Every night, without fail, Lan Zhan continued to play his guqin, the melodies carrying his hope and love into the night sky. He refused to believe that Wei Ying was truly gone.

His heart told him that somewhere, somehow, Wei Ying was alive and that they would be reunited.